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Featured Farm - Jasper Hill Farm
Growing Sustainably
The
Kehler Family
Mateo and Andy Kehler have done what
many have dreamed about but few accomplished. The two brothers,
former urbanites, found a derelict dairy in the heart of Vermont’s
northeast region, where so many farms were struggling and brought it
back to life. To train for his vocation, Mateo spent several years
working with farmstead cheesemakers, following up with a stint in
the cellars at Neal’s Yard Dairy in London.
Brother Andy had worked on an
agricultural sustainability project in Chile and as a building
contractor and home inspector in the States. Along the way, he
developed skills that led the team in designing and building and a
state-of-the art cheesemaking facility. Together, Andy and Mateo
created a sustainable farm and processing system.
Today, with a herd of forty Ayeshire
cows, they produce several raw milk cheeses including Constant
Bliss, Bayley Hazen Blue and Bartlett Blue.
In 2008, in an effort to expand the
potential of Vermont cheesemakers, Mateo and Andy constructed 22,000
square feet of cheese aging caves on the farm. The Kehlers buy
cheese from the producers when it is young and finish the cheese,
releasing it at peak condition. The cheese is then labeled with the
name of the cheesemaker and the phrase, "from the Cellars at Jasper
Hill." By marketing the cheeses together as a family of high quality
Vermont-made cheeses, the individual producers will have a stronger
presence in the market. The larger vision for Andy and Mateo is to
create a model that ensures a stable and comfortable living for
small dairy farmers.
Cowgirl Creamery's wholesale
division, Tomales Bay Foods, is the primary supplier on the west
coast for cheeses that have been aged at the Cellars at Jasper Hill.
Cheese
of the Month
Using traditional British methods of wrapping and aging the cheese
in bandages, Cabot's Clothbound Cheddar is aged for twelve months in
Jasper Hill Farms' private cellars. Jasper Hill as one of the
smallest dairies in Vermont and Cabot, showing what wonders
cooperation can bring, Sharp and creamy, this cheddar doesn't so
much melt in your mouth as it does coat every surface with
caramelized luxury.
New Ferry Building Hours
Monday - Friday 10:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm |
